THE NATIONAL PEACE BALLOT [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
Stn—One would regret that any loss-shOuld be occasioned to that high-minded, fine-principled Peace advocate, Viscount Cecil, but would it not be well to let the Peace' Ballot drop and save incurring further expenditure?
No doubt thousands like myself filled - up the form, not realizing that the replies would be used as propaganda in pulpit and Press, and perhaps do more harm to the cause of peate than good. Ninety-five per cent, answered the first two questions as everyone anticipated. If every paper issued had been filled up the percentage would have been the same. The questions so far as this country is concerned were futile, and no doubt if put to any other nation eighty per cent, would have replied to the same effect. With regard to the third
question re private firms making armaments, not one person in ten thousand is qualified or competent to answer, and if memory serves me, the fourth and fifth questions cancelled themselves out.
Last week I notice that Lord Hugh Cecil asked for a plain " Yes " or " No " on some point in the Debate on the Indian Question. It is a pity that the Peace Ballot was not so worded to ensure a definite " Yes " or " No " to concrete questions. For instance :
1. Are you in favour of peace at any price ?
2. Are you in favour of disarming whilst other nations are arming ?
3. Are you in favour of alliances with other countries in order to ensure peace ? (b) or do you prefer to stand alone ?
• 4. Do you agree with the Government's policy of granting a 22,000,000 subsidy for British tramp shipping so that we may have tonnage available in the event of war ?
And so on. But here again the answers would not represent the true feeling of the country any more than the answers. to the queries in the Peace Ballot.—Yours faithfully, LIVINGSTONE HOLMES.
Hantsport, St. James Road, Wallasey.
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